North Korean diplomat raises possibility of talks

A North Korean diplomat on Wednesday raised the possibility of the hermit regime holding bilateral talks with the United States.

"Under certain circumstances, we are willing to talk in terms of the freezing of nuclear testing and missile testing," North Korea Ambassador to India Kye Chun Yong said during an interview on India's TV network WION.

According to Kye, North Korea is prepared to hold such negotiations with the U.S. at "anytime" — but without preconditions from Washington.

"If our demands is met [sic], we can negotiate in terms of the moratorium of such [programs] as weapons testing," the diplomat said.

That said, North Korea first wants to see the U.S. "completely stop" large-scale joint military exercises with South Korea, temporarily or permanently, according to Kye. And he said the North would agree to a temporary stop of exercises too.

The U.S. has more than 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea and around 50,000 American military personnel in Japan. The U.S. regularly holds joint military drills with the two Asian allies, including exercises involving land troops, navy and air forces.

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